Quillback, copper and brown
rockfish are long-lived demersal predators, usually associated with
rocky substrate. Because of their longevity[1] and
high position in the food web, their probability of exposure to persistent
bioaccumulative toxins is high. These fish have relatively restricted
movements associated with seasonal migration for reproduction, suggesting
that they will reflect regional patterns of contamination. In addition,
evidence of contaminant exposure in these long-lived fish may be indicative
of recent and historic environmental conditions in their habitats. Because
they are captured and consumed by some anglers, these fish represent
a food-web pathway through which contaminants can move from the environment
to humans.

The Fish Component has monitored
the presence and severity of toxic contaminants in these species from
1990 through 2001. Click for sampling
locations.

Age of oldest quillback, brown and copper rockfish collected by the Fish
Component were estimated at 60, 46 and 27 years respectively.